Google Pixel 8

Google Pixel 8 in Kenya

Google Pixel 8 price in Kenya is Kes 77,000. The handset features a 6.2-inch OLED Display with 2000 nits peak brightness, 120Hz refresh rate and 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution. It runs on the Android 14 Operating System. It is powered by a Nano-core, Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) processor with 128GB internal memory, 8GB RAM / 256GB, and 8GB RAM phone memory variants.

To capture high-quality pictures and 4K videos, you can rely on a single 10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide) camera for selfies and A dual camera setup at the phone’ rear end consisting of 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide) + 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide) lenses. Both cameras record 4K and 1080p videos.

Google Pixel 8 is a real deal for modern, high-end smartphones in 2023. It comes with Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, supports NFC, has an under the display, optical finger sensor and USB Type-C 3.2. Powering the handset is Li-Ion 4,575 mAh, non-removable battery with 27W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 1-50% in 30 min.

Model colour variants: Obsidian, Hazel and Rose.

Google Pixel 8 Specs & Price in Kenya

Design and Physical Build

Pixel 8 is elegantly designed with softer silhouettes, beautiful metal finishes and recycled material. Notably smaller than the Pixel 7, the Google Pixel 8 has contoured edges, feels great in your hand at 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm, and weighs 187g. The phone is made of a Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), and aluminum frame. Pixel 8 features satin metal finishes and a polished glass back and comes in Rose, Hazel and Obsidian. The handset supports Nano SIM and Esim. It is water-proof with IP68 dust/water resistant rating (up to 1.5m for 30 min).

Display of Google Pixel 8

It has a 6.2-inch Actua display, which gives you real-world clarity and is 42% brighter than Pixel 7’s display. The display features an OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 1400 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak) brightness and 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~428 ppi density) resolution. This is an excellent display for an immersive user experience as you delve deep into gaming, watching video streams and endless social media engagement. You will not have any dull moments. Protecting the impressive display is the tamper-proof Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (always on display).

Camera setup

Pixel 8 features powerful, upgraded camera systems for stunning photo and video quality, plus game-changing editing tools. It has the same updated primary camera and a new ultrawide lens enabling Macro Focus. The camera app has an intuitive, redesigned interface, letting you quickly find and capture content in your favourite photo and video modes.

Main Camera:

• 50 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31″, 1.2µm, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS
• 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9″, 1.25µm
• It features a Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra-HDR, panorama
• It records 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps videos
• Video Recording support: gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR

Selfie Camera:

• 5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1″, 1.22µm, PDAF
• It features an Auto-HDR, panorama
• Video Recording capabilities: 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps

On-device algorithm

You must have been in that situation where you have the perfect group photo, but someone is not looking at the camera. Best Take uses the photos you did take to get the photo you thought you took. To make that happen, an on-device algorithm creates a blended image from a series of photos to get everyone’s best look.

Magic Editor

Magic Editor in Google Photos is a new experimental editing experience that uses generative AI to help you bring your photos in line with the essence of the moment you were trying to capture. You can reposition and resize subjects or use presets to make the background pop — all with just a few taps.

Audio Magic Eraser

Audio Magic Eraser lets you easily reduce distracting sounds in your video, like howling winds or noisy crowds. This first-of-its-kind computational audio capability uses advanced machine learning models to sort sounds into distinct layers so you can control their levels.

AI Technology on Google Pixel 8

Summarize

Pixel 8 has new features and capabilities that enable you to get more context and quickly dive deeper into a webpage. With Summarize, Pixel can generate a webpage summary so you can quickly understand the key points. Your Pixel can even read aloud and translate webpages for you so you can listen to articles on the go.

Voice Notes

Pixel is even better at understanding the nuances of human speech, so you can talk to it more naturally to get things done. If you take a pause or say “um,” it will wait until you’re done before responding. Use your voice to quickly type, edit and send messages, even if you speak multiple languages.

Call Screen Assistant

And with improved AI, Call Screen now helps you receive 50% fewer spam calls on average. To engage the caller, it will silently answer calls from unknown numbers with a more natural-sounding voice. It is also intelligent enough to separate the calls you want from those you do not wish to receive.

Soon, Call Screen will suggest contextual replies for you to tap to quickly respond to simple calls, like appointment confirmations, without having to answer the phone.

Smartphone Performance

Operating System

Google Pixel 8 runs on Android 14OS, which is the latest upgrade from Android 13 OS. It offers General Quality of Life (QoL) improvements. Google have it that Android 14 is more optimized for battery consumption, with lots of QoL improvements both in the UI and internally to ensure users have a smoother experience.

Android 14

Some of the top Android 14 features on Pixel 8 are:

• More customization: you can now access more tools to customize your lock screen.
• Notification Flashes: The new OS platform lets you turn on camera flashes and screen flashes for incoming notifications.
• Better Hearing Aid Support:
• Better support for large screens: Android 14 supports building apps that adapt gracefully to different screen sizes across smartphones, folding phones, and tablets.
• Restricting Photo and Video Access: it adds an option to select the specific photos and videos it can access, similar to what Apple offers through iOS 14.
• Enhanced Security: the most notable is the improved support for authentication with passkeys enabling biometric login instead of using passwords for more apps.
• Protected PIN: You can now turn off the animations that appear when you enter your PIN to make it harder for people with ulterior motives to spy on your digits.
• Better Data Protection: considering the increased data abuse by companies, Android 14 will send you monthly warnings when apps have changed their data-sharing habits and the possibilities of data breaches.

Processing Power Capabilities

Pixel 8 is powered by Google Tensor G3 (4 nm) chipset. The chipset is built on Samsung Foundry’s new 4nm (4LPP) process and will feature a nine-core CPU and a ten-core GPU. The Tensor G3 chip is faster than the G2, and it has new features that include better Call Screen functionality for weeding out spam calls.

CPU

• Nona-core (1×3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4×2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4×2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)

The Tensor G3 packs a single Cortex-X3 clocked up to 3GHz, four Cortex-A715 that go up to 2.45GHz, and four Cortex-A510 cores clocked up to 2.15GHz. Comparatively, the Tensor G2 has two Cortex-X1 cores, two Cortex-A78s, and four Cortex-A55s – a total of eight cores, one fewer than the G3. A more robust CPU means better performance in multi-tasking and handling intensive tasks more effectively.

GPU

• Immortalis-G715s MC10

Pixel 8’s Tensor G3 uses ARM’s newest GPU design – ten Immortalis-G715s. The new hardware is capable of hardware-accelerated ray tracing and, in combination with Samsung MFC (Multi-Format Codec) encoding and decoding 8K up to 30fps in both h.264 and HEVC format. Regarding videos and gaming, Immortalis-G715s MC10 is up to the task of the best user experience for high-setting video games.

Seven years of updates to keep you and your personal information secure

Google Tensor G3 works with the Titan M2 security chip to protect personal information and make your Pixel more resilient to sophisticated attacks. And now, Face Unlock on Pixel 8 meets the highest Android biometric class, allowing you to access compatible banking and payment apps like Google Wallet.

With Pixel 8, you receive exclusive features and updates that keep your phone getting better over time. For the first time, Google provides seven years of software support for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro — including OS upgrades, security updates and regular Feature Drops.

Pixel 8 Phone Memory

Google’s smartphone packs a punch when it comes to phone memory. It packs:

• 128GB 8GB RAM, with UFS 3.1
• 256GB 8GB RAM, with UFS 3.1

Both the internal memory and RAM are sufficient for the high-end, high-performance smartphone of the calibre of Pixel 8 to match and by far go beyond expectations.  The UFS 3.1 storage fittingly optimizes Pixel 8 phone storage, thus effectively meeting the demands for more storage, speed, and control. 5G devices such as Pixel 8 have high-capacity data processing demands, and the UFS 3.1 technology ensures data processing efficiency, positively impacting the connection speed of 5G data.

Networking and Connectivity on Pixel 8

This is a 5 G-enabled phone. It runs on GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G Network Technology, supporting 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G bands. Enjoy fast uploading and downloading of large files and big data with HSPA, LTE-A (CA), 5G network speed.

For communication, you can rely on an array of features and functionalities which ease and improve how you communicate and use the handsets in your interactions and productivity.

Features for Better Communication

These include:

• Audio: Stereo loudspeakers for quality audio output
• Bluetooth:3, A2DP, LE, apt-X HD
• NFC
• USB: USB Type-C 3.2
• Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
• Positioning and Location: GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)

Pixel 8, like its predecessor Pixel 6 and 7, does not support 3.5mm jack for wired headsets. Moreover, it does not support FM Radio, forcing you to rely on online radio access to follow your favourite radio shows and presenters.

Battery And Power Management

Powering Pixel 8 is a massive, Li-Ion 4575 mAh, non-removable battery that guarantees a day’s use on a full charge. to recharge, you can opt for;

• 27W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min
• 18W wireless
• Reverse wireless

Pros and Cons of Pixel 8

Pros

• Runs on Android 14 with revamped security features
• Comes with a Tensor 3 chip, an upgrade from Tensor 2
• Refreshed design
• AI Camera that enhances user experience
• Records 4k videos
• Supports gyro EIS
• Decent phone memory package

Cons

• Minor design changes from Pixel 7
• Minimal camera upgrade compared to Pixel 7
• It has no temperature sensor
• Smaller screen compared to 6.7 inches on Pixel 8 Pro
• Relatively high price tag

Alternative Handsets to Pixel 8

• Google Pixel 8 Pro
• Google Pixel 7 Pro
• Google Pixel 7
• iPhone 15 Pro